Wireless mesh routing protocol utilizing hybrid link state algorithms

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are described for exchanging and determining routes in packet-switched mesh networks. Nodes in the mesh networks may be coupled via wireless and fixed-wire links. Routing protocols used to determine routes include link state protocols and hybrids of link state and path vector protocols. Type-Length-Value formats are provided to facilitate state information for nodes in the packet switched network, allowing paths to be re-routed through the mesh networks in real-time.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 60/691,091, filed Jun. 15, 2005, inventor Susan Hares, entitled “Wireless Routing and Security of 802.11 Frames Using Hybrid Routing Algorithms and Secure Multicast Keys”, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention related to the field of computer networking, and more specifically to the protocols for fixed-line and wireless networking.

BACKGROUND

The rate at which wireless networks are being deployed is accelerating along with their size and ubiquity. While enterprises, carriers, government and municipalities rush to deploy wireless networks, evolving technological standards, and inadequacies in current wireless products (such as lack of flexibility, scalability, and mobility features) render challenges in the deployment of wireless networks.

Wireless networks based on 802.11/WiFi and 802.16/WiMax technology standards comprise a majority of current wireless deployments. Wireless access to wired networks and the Internet is provided by radio devices deployed at the edge of the network. New wireless networks are being deployed in locations where associating a wireless access point (AP) are not located near wired networks. These networks are being created from access points that interact together to form a mesh of nodes, denoted as wireless mesh.

These wireless mesh networks may be standalone or may link to a wired network at an access point. One or many wireless mesh networks may be linked together via a wireless links or via wired networks. The wireless mesh networks may be secure encrypting data between wireless access points. An Access Pointing (AP) operating as part of a mesh is denoted as a mesh point (MP). PRIOR ART FIG. 1 shows the access points 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105 and 106 operating as a Mesh Point. Mesh Point 104 is connected to a wired switch (107) with an Authentication Server (108) attached to it. Mesh Point 105 is connected to a wired switch (109) with a Captive portal attached to it (110).

The new wireless networks are intended to support varied applications including, as examples, security cameras, voice calls, sensors and support of traditional computing. These applications are supported over access points with a range of bandwidth with limited power resources. To support these applications, there is a need for wireless mesh nodes need to create forwarding paths based on MAC addresses that support:

-   -   Quality of Service (QoS) tuned for a particular application such         as voice, video, sensor network,     -   802.11e forwarding for QoS paths,     -   Unicast data traffic,     -   Multicast data traffic,     -   Traffic loading based on bandwidth on radio link,     -   Power usage of a particular wireless mesh,     -   Resource constraints for Radio Frequency (Channel, radio, power,         antenna), Power or Environment, or     -   Connectivity to wired network or to Authentication server, or     -   Multiple links to the wired network, and     -   Different levels of security for different paths.

Some of the applications running over a wireless network have stringent requirements end-to-end delay, network convergence time, fast fail-over to alternate paths and congestion avoidance. For example, voice requires fast fail-over time between pathways so that voice calls will not be dropped. Traditional networks may utilize pre-calculated fail-over paths for voice calls based on relatively stable network topologies. Radio interference in radio medium can cause frequent topology changes requiring either on-demand calculation of network topologies or frequent re-calculation of end-to-end fail-over paths. These features are not supported by the prior art.

There is also a need for path algorithms that allow fast network convergence times on the order of milliseconds; this is particularly critical for radio networks, especially the mesh networks. Calculating these forwarding paths can be done via a path calculation algorithm or user policy or a combination of user policy and path calculation. Path calculation algorithms include distance vector algorithms, path vector algorithms, link-state protocols, or link-state path vector algorithms. User policies aid in creating logical networks whose performance may be tuned for QoS for applications such as voice, video or data, different traffic patterns for unicast and multicast, reducing power usage in a wireless mesh and upholding different security levels. Combining both forwarding path calculation and policy places additional constraints on path calculation algorithms, and there is a need to resolve these constraints and provide expedited calculation of forwarding paths in mesh networks.

Routing protocols that are not adapted to run over radio networks may not calculate efficient or stable pathways. The radio network has limited bandwidth on the radio transmission, potential periods of radio signal degradation, and potential interference between transmissions of data. Thus, in view of the Limited bandwidth in mesh networks, there is a need for multiple pathways between two mesh points in order to provide load sharing across the network.

Links between the wired network and the wireless mesh, may occur at any mesh point. Policy and bandwidth may require that certain pathways to the wired network are preferred over others. Thus, there is a need to augment forwarding path calculations to allow policies or path calculation metrics to favor pathway to the wired networks over another. Wired links may be preferred due to bandwidth or due to their access to captive portals or Authentication servers.

Links between two wireless mesh networks may also occur, but the interconnection needs to be governed by unique policy. Using 802.11s additions to 802.11, the wireless mesh will have unique identification code. Two wireless meshes may interconnect at any, some or all nodes (PRIOR ART FIG. 3 gives an example of two mesh networks interconnected.) Forwarding path calculation need to differentiate between intra-mesh networks and inter-mesh networks or mesh networks and wired. Existing path calculations do not allow these considerations in the pathway calculations.

Traditional MAC level forwarding uses broadcast of multicast frames. The broadcast of these multicast frames may send frames to switches that do not have receivers for that multicast group. In traditional Local Area Networks (LANs) formed by Ethernet, this overhead of transmitting frames that will be discarded is not burdensome. In the radio environment with limited bandwidth, the extra transmission limits the capacity of the full system. Specific multicast distribution paths are needed to tailor forwarding paths to just the access points that must receive the information. Algorithms that calculate these multicast paths need to operate without heavy calculation overhead when the mesh network topologies change frequently due to interference in the radio domain.

Mesh networks may be of a small size (32 nodes or less) specified by 802.11s or grow to larger networks. The path calculation needs to support scalable growth with as the mesh expands by:

-   -   Numbers of mesh points in the mesh,     -   Numbers of radio physical and logical links between nodes,     -   Numbers of Stations associated with each mesh point that in turn         may be accessed by the network, and     -   Numbers of MAC level multicast groups.

To summarize, traditional path calculation algorithms need to be augment to support the wireless mesh by existing paths and user policy regarding:

-   -   Supporting alternate paths based on MAC addresses based on any         application QoS, 802.11e QoS,     -   Unicast or multicast traffic or traffic loading on links,     -   Resource constraints (power, RF frequency)     -   Connectivity to wired networks, other mesh networks,     -   Existence of security services (Captive portal or Authentication         portal),     -   Levels of security, and     -   Existence of particular individual MAC or groups of MAC         addresses.     -    Existing path calculation algorithms do not support all these         factors within the path calculation for a mesh network.         Secure Pathways in Mesh Point Networks

Securing the data traffic that transverses a wireless mesh network via the air medium entails encryption of data traffic. In existing wireless networks with access points attached to switches (either local MACs or split MAC), the Authentication Server (AS) distributes keys to client stations associated an access point. Each station—access point has a pair-wise key. All stations from a particular access point share group key for broadcast data.

In a mesh network, traffic that flows between access points may be encrypted. To encrypt this traffic, each mesh point encrypts data. A mesh point has a pair-wise key for each remote mesh point to which it transmits data. In addition, each mesh point has a single key to encrypt broadcast information sent to all mesh points in its radio range. The mesh point with stations associated has the following keys:

-   -   Pair-wise key with each remote station,     -   Group key for all stations associated with mesh point,     -   Pair-wise key with each remote Mesh Point exchanging traffic         with, and     -   Group key for transmission of data to all Mesh Points within         radio range.

In deployments where security of a video stream or other multicast data needs to have a higher security than the general group key, an alternate group key for specific data transmission is desirable for this node. In the on-demand multicast group, the data between a set of mesh points may be encrypted using an alternate set of group keys from the mesh point's general group key. This alternate short-term group key for a mesh point may encrypt all data or data from a specific station associated with the node. The routing infrastructure exchanges an indication that these new group keys are requested; in this may be facilitated by either passing around a Group MAC address or passing an indicator that the node would like to use alternate group keys for all of its data. Traffic Encrypted with the new group need should only flow when both a multicast path and the encryption keys have been set-up at all stations and mesh-points supporting the on-demand secure multicast traffic flow. Thus, the path calculation (also called mesh routing infrastructure) must pass two indicators to start the on-demand secure pathways: 1) a mesh point desires set-up an on-demand multicast keys and 2) the mesh point has completed set-up of on-demand multicast keys. To terminate the on-demand secure pathways, the routing infrastructure needs to indicate that: 1) mesh point no longer desires that on-demand flow path, and 2) that the multicast on-demand secure pathways have been terminated.

As a non-limiting example, three stations want to share a secure on-demand multicast group is shown in PRIOR ART FIG. 2. Station 1 (201) wants to have an on-demand multicast forwarding path that does not share the node group keys with the existing broadcast keys when sending Group traffic to Group MAC address 1. As station 1 (201) transmits data to a Secure Group MAC address (80:00:01:01:01:01), policy on Mesh Point 1 (204) triggers the set-up of a secure multicast path to any other listeners. At the same point station 2 (202) and station 3 (203) request via higher level protocols (GMRP or proprietary protocols) to Mesh Point 2 (205) and Mesh Point 3 (206) that they are interested in receiving traffic for Secure Group 1 MAC address (80:00:01:01:01:01). Both of these mesh points utilize the routing infrastructure to pass an indication that an on-demand secure key needs to be set-up for group traffic transmitted between mesh points 1, 2 and 3 (204, 205, 206). Mesh Point 4 (207) does not desire to have the on-demand group key and retains its original group key.

Mesh Point 1 obtains a secure multicast key from the Authentication server to itself. Mesh Points 2 and 3 also obtain a new group key from the Authentication server for on-demand secure group. Once the keys are received, the path calculation algorithms calculate a specific multicast tree for the on-demand secure keys.

At some point in the future, Station 1 finishes sending its secure data and wishes to return to the use of the general node multicast key. Station 1 (201) has several ways of signaling this to Mesh Point 1 (204). As a non-limiting example, the mesh point can detect that no traffic has been sent for a period of time. At this point, the mesh point 1 (204) can signal to the rest of the mesh that the on-demand mesh point is no longer desired and that the path has been terminated. Mesh Point 2 and Mesh Point 3 can also decide based on a variety of mechanisms that they wish to stop receiving multicast traffic from the on-demand group.

Very Secure multicast data transmission of frames may require on-demand securing of a multicast group for a particular set of nodes. A military application that uses “Triple Plan” (Video, Voice and Data) sent to a multicast group may need on-demand security for voice only, video only, and data only or for all voice, video and data. An on-demand group encryption key per node may be required for a higher level of security. These and other limitations and inadequacies in the prior art are addressed by the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention include extensions to link state algorithms and to link state path vector algorithms which support the creation secure scalable wireless mesh networks based on a hybrid wireless/wired routing infrastructure. In embodiments of the invention, these extensions include:

-   -   Support for flexible calculation of network paths based on any         combination of one or more of the following factors: radio aware         constraints (including, by way of example but not limitation,         quality and throughput of applicable radio channels) and         wireless mesh topology constraints (including, by way of         example, availability of power at nodes in the wireless mesh),         application and network Quality of Service (QoS), traffic         engineering, user-enforced policies, resource constraints,         existence of security services, wired network connectivity and         connectivity between multiple wireless meshes. The routing         infrastructure carries information that be used in path         calculations based in link state algorithms or hybrid link state         path vector algorithms.     -   Calculation of multicast forwarding trees, using link-state         algorithms, for any group MAC address, or any pair of source or         group MAC.     -   Calculation of multicast forwarding trees calculations using         link-state path vector algorithms that allow policies (including         default settings or policies manually set by network         administrators) to set criteria for tie-breakers between         multicast forwarding paths.     -   Link State Database exchange algorithms that minimize the         Database information transmitted on limited bandwidth broadcast         media (such as radio networks) and support a 2 stage update         process that queries Link-State Announcement sequence numbers         before updating a Link State Database for the wireless mesh         network.     -   A radio-aware light weight routing protocol (ra-hello) that         supports 1 hop and 2 hop radio aware topologies and passing         security and routing information, and     -   On-demand secure multicast path using alternate group keys for         encrypting multicast data between nodes—Routing and security         work together to set-up a new set of keys and multicast         forwarding paths for a specific set of Group MAC addresses.

In embodiments of the invention, these extensions supporting flexible path calculations include:

-   -   Type-length-value descriptions that can be added link state         packets sent as part of a database update,     -   storing the type-length-valued descriptions in Link State         Databases, and     -   Performing constraint based calculations based on these         parameters

In embodiments of the invention, the calculation of multicast forwarding trees utilizes either a link state or link state path vector protocols to:

-   -   Pass information about the mesh point topology,     -   Pass information regarding group MAC addresses and (Source,         Group) MAC addresses associated with each mesh point,     -   Pass weighting information to allow multiple equal-cost paths to         be turned to a single path, and     -   Use Link state topologies to calculate forwarding path rooted at         a mesh node for a set of Group MAC addresses.

These and other embodiments of the invention are described further below.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

PRIOR ART FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a Wireless Mesh Network with an Authentication Server.

PRIOR ART FIG. 2 illustrates an example of an on-demand secure wireless mesh infrastructure.

PRIOR ART FIG. 3 illustrates an example of two Wireless Mesh networks inter-connected and connected to a wired network infrastructure.

FIG. 4 illustrates Type-Length-Value fields carrying information for routing in wireless mesh networks, in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates the addition of a multicast group in a mesh network, in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates the deletion of a multicast group from a mesh network, in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates the repair of a multicast tree in a mesh network, in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates requests TLVs for request and response messages in a mesh network, in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates steps to update a network mesh routing database, in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates additional steps for updating the network mesh routing database, in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a database request and update for multiple wireless nodes, in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example of type-length-value fields for a hello message in a wireless mesh network, in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example of the transmission of acknowledgement messages in a wireless mesh network, in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Definitions

The following terms, when used herein, shall have the meanings set forth below:

802.11: An IEEE standard for layer 2 wireless local-area networks. The standard includes, by way of example but not limitation, 802.11b, 802.11a, and 802.11g, which define the layer 1 physical media behavior of different types of wireless networks.

WiFi: Refers to 802.11

Access Point, or “AP”: A wireless device or a logical function that bridges wireless/802.11 enabled devices from the wireless 802.11 network to the wired networks.

802.16: An IEEE standard for layer 2 wireless networks, comprising an interface for fixed broadband wireless access systems.

WiMax: Refers to 802.16

Base Station or “BS”: An 802.16 equivalent of an 802.11 AP.

IETF: refers to that certain standards body known as the Internet Engineering Task Force.

Mesh Network: a set of Access Points colluding together as a mesh of nodes to deliver layer 2 traffic between the Access Points.

Local MAC: A centrally controlled wireless architecture where wireless encryption/decryption and bridging of 802.11 to 802.3 is performed on the Access Point.

Split AP: Synonym for Local MAC.

Split MAC: A centrally controlled wireless architecture where bridging of 802.11 to 802.3 and/or wireless encryption/decryption is performed on a centralized device, such as, by way of non-limiting example, a Wireless LAN Switch

Ethernet: A widely deployed wired layer 2 technology for connecting devices, defined by IEEE 802.3.

IP: Internet Protocol, as defined by IETF RFC 791.

MAC layer: Media Access Control layer, also known as “Layer 2”; refers to the packet formatting and protocol used to communicate between two devices.

Client: For hardware, refers to a client device, such as, by way of example but not limitation, a PC, PDA, or other wireless client device. For software, refers to the layer 2 or layer 3 software entity that enables communications on client hardware.

Wireless Station: Synonym for Wireless Client.

Encryption: Scrambling of data to prevent viewing, tampering, and replay from unauthorized sources.

Authentication Server: Server that distributes encryption keys to the wireless mesh node via security protocols. By way of example but not limitation, a set of protocols for 802.11 meshes are 802.11i for signaling the security hints regarding keys, 802.1x for transmitting keys, and Radius for key and user information.

Layer 1: Communications between different devices at the physical layer (by way of example but not limitation, wired, optical, or wireless).

Layer 2: Communications between two devices and the data link layer/MAC layer. Devices may use the same packet formats and MAC layer protocols, but may use different physical media.

Layer 3: Communications between two devices at the network layer, usually implying IP communications. Devices communicating at Layer 3 need not use the same Layer 2/MAC layer protocols. Layer 3 and IP may be used to communicate between different Layer 2 devices over the Internet.

Heavyweight Access Point: An Access Point that implements all of the 802.11 MAC layer for an access point. A Heavyweight Access Point may provide user authentication, encryption, data forwarding, and management capabilities.

Lightweight Access Point: An AP that typically implements only time-sensitive components of the 802.11 protocol. Some Lightweight Access Points also implement data encryption. Lightweight Access Points may be used in conjunction with a wireless LAN switch.

Link State Path Vector: refers to routing algorithms and protocols that are further described in U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 10/648,758, Dated Aug. 25, 2003, Inventor Susan Hares, entitled “Systems and Methods for Routing Employing Link State and Path Vector Techniques”

LWAPP: Lightweight Access Point Protocol specified in an IETF Draft.

VLAN: A virtual LAN as defined by IEEE 802.

BSS or 802.11 “Basic Service Set”: a set of wireless stations attached to a single AP and identified by a BSSID.

ESS: An “Extended Service Set” in 802.11, comprised of a logical wireless LAN spanning multiple BSSs.

SSID: Service Set Identifier for an ESS advertised in 802.11 management frames to aid wireless clients in discovering the ESS.

Tunnel: A logical link between two elements of a network, that may use encapsulation to traverse diverse or routed networks. A non-limiting example of a tunnel is a GRE tunnel between two IP endpoints.

Null Tunnel: A logical tunnel between network elements using no additional encapsulation other than the native encapsulation of the link between them. As a non-limiting example of a Null Tunnel, network elements may be directly connected to each other via an Ethernet cable.

802.11i: IEEE 802.11 MAC Layer Security Enhancements

802.11r: IEEE 802.11 Fast BSS Transition Enhancements.

Roaming: Refers to wireless Clients moving from one radio attachment point to another in a wireless network.

Mobility: A wireless network feature which preserves the current (logical) link between a wireless client and a wireless network. By way of non-limiting example, this may refer to Layer 2 or Layer 3 links.

PFE: Packet Forwarding Engine—A data forwarding abstraction used in this invention implemented in hardware or software.

WiFi VPN: A set of CAPWAP and VPN protocols using WiFi technologies described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/982,598, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

X.509: Public Key Certificate format—ISO Standard 9594-8:2001, ITU-T Recommendation X.509, March 2000.

PKI: Public Key Infrastructure

Unicast traffic: Unicast traffic may include Layer 2 frames or Layer 3 packets sent from a source machine to one remote machine. A non-limiting example of a Layer 2 frame is an Ethernet frame with destination MAC address without the “Group” bit set. A non-limiting example of a Unicast Layer 3 packet is an IP packet with a destination address that is a unicast IP address.

Multicast traffic: Multicast traffic may include Layer 2 frames or Layer 3 packets sent from a source machine to multiple destinations. A non-limiting example of a Layer 2 frame is an Ethernet frame with a destination MAC address with the “Group” bit set. A non-limiting example of a Multicast Layer 3 packet is a IP packet with a destination address that contains a Multicast IP address.

Overview

Embodiments of the invention include extensions to link state algorithms and to link state path vector algorithms that support the creation of secure scalable wireless mesh networks based on a hybrid wired/wireless routing infrastructure. These extensions form orthogonal pieces of functionality that can be implemented individually or a groups to provide secure scalable wireless mesh. These extensions include:

-   -   Support for flexible calculation of path networks based on any         combination of one or more of the following parameters: wireless         mesh based radio aware constraints (such as, by way of example         but not limitation, quality of relevant radio channels),         wireless mesh topology constraints (such as, by way of example,         power constraints, network topologies), application and network         QoS, traffic engineering, user-administered policies, resource         constraints, existence of security services, wired network         connectivity and connectivity between multiple wireless meshes.         In embodiments of the invention, these extensions may include         additional data fields in type-length-value form that are passed         as part of the link-state database update, stored in the         link-state database, and used in the path calculation.     -   Calculation of multicast forwarding trees using link-state         algorithms that support trees for any group MAC address, or any         pair of source or group MAC addresses.     -   Calculation of multicast forwarding trees using link-state path         vector algorithms that allow default or manually set policies to         set the tie-breaking criteria between multicast forwarding         paths.     -   Link State Database exchange algorithms that minimize the         database information transmitted on limited bandwidth broadcast         media (such as, by way of non-limiting example, radio networks)         and support a two (2) stage update process that queries         Link-State Announcement sequence numbers before updating the         Link State Database.     -   A radio-aware light weight routing protocol (referred to herein         as “ra-hello”) that supports 1 hop and 2 hop radio aware         topologies as well as the exchange of security and routing         information, and     -   On-demand secure multicast path using alternate group keys for         encrypting multicast data between nodes—In such embodiments,         routing and security systems interact to set-up a new set of         keys and multicast forwarding paths for a specific set of Group         MAC addresses. Upon detection that a mesh node (i.e., a node in         a mesh network) wants to receive data from “On-Demand” Secure         Group MAC, the mesh node allocates and uses an alternate group         key for multicast forwarding to that secure MAC.

These and other embodiments are further described herein.

Support for Flexible Path Calculations

Embodiments of this invention include extensions to a link state protocol (such as, by way of example, ISIS or OSPF) or a link state path vector protocol to:

-   -   Pass routing information in Type-Length-Value (TLV) descriptions         that can be added the data base distribution packets.     -   Storing the type-length-value descriptions in the link state         database, and     -   Using the information from the TLVs as part of constraint based         path calculations for network traffic.

Database distribution packets may be, by way of example, Link State Packets in IS-IS, Link State Announcements in OSPF or Link State Path Vector LSP Packets. Embodiments include:

-   -   Storing Type-Length-Value descriptions in a Link State Database,         and     -   Performing constraint based calculations based on these         parameters

Embodiments of the invention include a Type-Length-Value format referred to herein as a “Wireless Mesh Routing TLV”. Non-limiting examples of type-length-value (TLV) descriptions used in embodiments of this invention are shown in FIG. 4 in the form of 802.11 Information Elements (or “IE(s)”). The Information Element has a 1 byte type field, followed by a 1 byte length field.

The TLVs depicted in FIG. 4 include the following

-   -   1. Routing Category TLV (410)—this routing category TLV allows         the routing protocol type and version that initially provided         the routing information to be exchanged between mesh points.         This field indicator is used as either part of an existing         link-state or link-state path vector protocol or part of the         hello protocol. This field contains the following information         -   a. Path Calculation Control Protocol (411)—gives the path             calculation protocol such as, by way of non-limiting             example, link-state OSPF, link-state ISIS, hybrid link-state             path vector.         -   b. Version of the path vector protocol (412)         -   c. Routing packet type: by way of non-limiting examples,             these may be hello, link state update, or database request             or database update (413)         -   d. Sequence number of transmitted TLV formed     -   2. The Database LSAs IE—this provides a TLV that further groups         a set of TLVs to form an update message. The database IE         contains: header information for this database, followed by a         sequence of Link-State-Announcement (LSA) information elements         (TLV groups). The Database LSA IE (TLV) header field (420)         contains:         -   a. Total length of the grouping of TLVs (421)         -   b. Topology Database Identification number (422)         -   c. Routing metric type (423)—This contains the radio aware             metric type, the topology aware type, and the preference             between radio and topology aware.         -   d. Routing capabilities (424)—A flag byte indicating what             capabilities this database includes         -   e. Routing sub-IEs (425)—Flags bytes indicate what type of             IEs are contained within the LSA IEs         -   f. Last Database Request Sequence number (426)—This field             contains the sequence number for the last database update             request.         -   g. Count of LSA IE (427)—this contains the count of the LSAs             that follow     -   3. In embodiments of the invention, each LSA IE contains LSA         origination information (430). The origination information may         include the originating Mesh Point (MP) (431), LSA sequence         number (432) and the life time value (433). Optionally it can         contain also contain the following information element (TLVs):         -   a. Neighbor link information element (IE) (435)         -   b. Forwarding information element (IE) (440)         -   c. QoS information element (IE) (442)         -   d. Resource information element (IE) (444)         -   e. Power information element (IE) (446)         -   f. Non-Group MAC address information element (IE) (450)         -   g. Group MAC address information element (IE) (460)         -   h. ACK information element (455)         -   i. Neighbor's Neighbor (470)         -   j. Neighbor Neighbor Link IE (473)         -   k. Neighbor QoS IE (480)         -   l. Neighbor Resource IE (482)         -   m. Neighbor non-group MAC It (484)         -   n. Neighbor Group MAC IE (488)

In embodiments of the invention, the foregoing TLVs may occur one or more time.

The information elements inside of LSA E are:

-   -   1. Neighbor Link E (430) contains the following fields         -   a. MAC address of neighbor Mesh Point (436)         -   b. MLID—Logical ID for link connecting to the remote             neighbor (437)         -   c. Routing metric type—gives 3 field that indicate routing             metric type, radio-aware metric, and topology aware metric     -   2. Forwarding Element (IE) (440)—contains a 1 byte field for         forwarding flags. Forwarding flags (441) include (but are not         limited to) unicast, multicast, and power-aware.     -   3. QoS IE (442)—QoS IE contains a variable list of QoS         parameters. This QoS IE info field is variable in length with         the length specified in the TLV format.     -   4. Resource IE (443)—The Resource IE field contains a variable         field that provides information on resources that include (but         are not limited to) to RF resources (channel, frequency or         bandwidth), CPU resources, or memory resources.     -   5. Power IE (446)—In embodiments, the Power IE field contains a         variable size set of parameters about power usage or status.         These parameters may contain, by way of example but not         limitation, parameters about remaining battery life or current         power utilization or total power available.     -   6. Non-Group MAC address (450)—This IE contains a list of         non-Group MAC addresses. This field has an ID that identifies         this grouping of MAC addresses, followed by a count of Unicast         MAC address, and a list of MAC address (1 to n MACs)     -   7. ACK IE (455)—This field has a list of ACK, or         “acknowledgement” messages for different LSA sequence numbers.         The fields in this IE are length of the ACK value (2 bytes by         default), range of sequence numbers ACK (457) contain start and         end, followed by a list of ACK sequence values.     -   8. Group MAC address IE (460)—This field has an ID (461),         followed by a count of Group MAC addresses (462) followed by a         list Group-MAC address-flag pairs.     -   9. Neighbor's Neighbor IE (470)—is a IE that contains         information about the neighbors of a Mesh Point's neighbor. This         field has a header followed by the inclusion of a Nbr's Nbr link         IE (473) or a Nbr QoS IE (480) or a Nbr Resource IE (482) or a         Nbr Non-Group MAC (484) or a Nbr Group MAC address (490). The         header information contains the total length of the full         neighbor field (471) plus a count of the neighbors of the         neighbor.     -   10. Nbr Nbr link IE (473)—contains a neighbor linked to this         neighbor (474), the link the neighbor's neighbor is connected         over, the routing metric associated with the link, the sequence         number of the last hello received by this neighbor (477), and         the last LSA sequence number from the Neighbor's neighbor.     -   11. Nbr QoS IE (480)—the QoS IE field from the nbr is forwarded         in this TLV.     -   12. Nbr Resource IE (482)—the Neighbor's Resource IE is         forwarded in this TLV.     -   13. Nbr Non-Group MAC IE (484)—The Neighbor's Non-group MAC         field is forwarded in this TLV. The IE field contains a ID field         that allows the MAC addresses to be grouped.     -   14. NBR Group MAC IE (490)—The Neighbor's Group MAC field is         passed in this TLV.

In embodiments of the invention, the Link State databases are expanded to include the information passed in these topologies. Constraint based calculations can specify any of these in calculating a best network path through the mesh network. A TE calculation runs both the basic SPF to determine links without constraints and then re-runs the SPF calculations with constraints. In embodiments of the invention, the SPF calculation includes the following steps:

-   -   Step 0—initializing the TENT and PATH structures     -   Step 1—Examine the Zero length Link State topology packet and         process     -   Step 2—if the Tent is empty, then stop. Else iterate to add         additional links

In some embodiments, the foregoing algorithm is modified for constraints to be:

-   -   Pre-select out nodes by: removing all nodes and links that do         not support constraint based routing and remove all nodes that         do not meet the constraints     -   Run SPF calculation above with this limited set of nodes     -   Run reduced flooding calculations to minimize the flooding of         new information.         Calculation of Multicast Forwarding Trees Using Link-State         Algorithms

Embodiments of this invention exchange information in the TLVs regarding Unicast MAC addresses and Group MAC addresses associated with a Mesh Point. In embodiments, the Group MAC addresses are passed in the Group MAC IE (460) or the Neighbor Group MAC (490) as shown in FIG. 4.

The calculation of multicast forwarding trees utilizes either a link state or link state path vector protocols to

-   -   Pass information about the mesh point topology,     -   Pass information regarding group MAC addresses and (Source,         Group) MAC addresses associated with each Mesh Point,     -   Pass weighting information to allow multiple equal-cost paths to         be turned to a single path, and     -   Use Link state topologies to calculate forwarding path rooted at         a mesh node for a set of Group MAC addresses.     -   The Light weight routing protocol (“ra-hello”), which is used         for a 1-hop to 2-hop protocol, uses:         -   Single ra-hello message to send information between mesh             points,

The information is passed in a Type-length-value (TLV) fields as described in previous section on path calculation (Group MAC addresses or Neighbor's Group MAC addresses).

Embodiments of this invention calculate multicast forwarding paths between mesh points sending to a multicast group and those receiving from a multicast group. A single tree rooted at a mesh point is calculated to all other mesh points receiving the mesh point.

In embodiments of the invention, the foregoing calculation is performed by the following steps:

-   -   Remove all nodes that will not forward multicast (denoted in the         forwarding element IE field as unicast only),     -   For each Group MAC address sourcing data from this node:         -   Remove as end mesh nodes all nodes those except those             reporting the multicast group MAC address,         -   Create Group-MAC entry with: Group MAC address, list of Mesh             Points that includes this MAC address         -   Check to see if this Group-MAC entry matches an existing             Group-MAC table entry. If so, add This Group MAC as             Secondary MAC to this entry. If no match, add a new entry     -   Calculate the shortest path tree from each for each Group Entry         in the Tree.     -   Check to see if the Multicast path contains an Equal-coast         multi-path (ECMP) from this node         -   If no ECMP, finished with this step.         -   If ECMP from this node, select a main path based on user             policy, or lowest Mesh Point Id/Mesh Point Link ID tuple.             Update a TLV with a different metric for this link and             distribute with next link state update to neighbors.

FIG. 5 shows an illustrative, non-limiting example of the addition of one node (node N) sending traffic to several receivers (denoted by the shaded nodes). Diagram 501 in FIG. 5 shows Node N flooding the Group MAC IE via the link-state packets to potential forwarders (PF) and to final receivers (shaded nodes). In stage 2 shown as element 502 in the figure, a shortest path calculation from Node N is calculated to all receiving nodes. In stage 3 shown as FIG. 503, the algorithm selects a single path from this node to the distribution tree from the original node and then sends out an updated metric in the flag associated with the Group MAC from that node. In stage shown as FIG. 504, the forwarding table entries have been updated to select a single path.

This multicast path calculation occurs after a normal Shortest-Path Link-State algorithm calculates distances and shortest pathways to mesh points. As shall be apparent to those skilled in the art, if a Group MAC or a node's announcement of Group MAC is removed, the next link state calculation runs and updates the link state database, the Group MAC address will no longer exist in the database. At this point, the multicast algorithm above will remove the tree rooted on that source node. FIG. 6 shows, as a illustrative, non-limiting example, a mesh with Node A being removed (601) and the resulting removal from the multicast forwarding path (602).

-   -   Should a Tree link Break, each node re-calculates the shortest         path to all Mesh Points having the Group MAC associated using         the algorithm above. FIG. 7 provides a step by step indication         of how this algorithm works with a broken link. Item 701 shows         how a link breaks in the middle of the network. Item 702 shows         how the recalculation selects a new forwarder (based on link         state SPF and multicast algorithm running). Item 703 show how         shortest path routes an alternate path between A and B. Item 704         shows the forwarding path being calculated. Item 705 show the         repaired tree with new forwarding state.         Link State Database Exchange Algorithms that Minimize the         Exchange of Database Information Transmitted on Limited         Bandwidth Broadcast Media

Embodiments of the invention enable one or more of the following:

-   -   Transmission of Link State announcements by multiple nodes         encrypted by Group Multicast key from a Wireless Mesh Node to         its neighbors. The originating node waits for ACK from neighbors         prior to re-transmitting to a specific neighbor the link state         database update.     -   A two stage update process that queries Link-State Announcement         sequence numbers before updating the Link State Database.

In the transmission of Link State announcements, multiple nodes send back an ACK for the set of received LSA IEs. The “ACK IE field” (item 454, FIG. 4) gives the ACK that can be sent from a particular field upon receipt. The algorithm for transmitting is:

-   -   1. Transmit link State Announcements from a node to a local         layer 2 multicast group appropriate for the link state protocol         (which may be, by way of non-limiting example, OSPF, ISIS, or         LSPV) using the node's group key     -   2. Wait for a locally configured time to receive a Wi-Mesh         routing IE with a DB LSA IE with ACK IEs with the sequence         number.     -   3. If the time expires prior to receiving the ACKs, go back to         step 1 until all nodes have ACK the LSA Database update.

For a two stage update process, embodiments of the invention include additional information passed in the appropriate Link State messages. This information is a set of TLVs denoted as the “DB request/response” shown in FIG. 8. The TLVs included are:

-   -   1. Wireless Mesh Routing IE for a DB packet type (801) which         includes:         -   a. Type denoted wireless mesh routing IE         -   b. Length of the field         -   c. Control protocol (4 bits)—link state or hybrid link state         -   d. Version (4 bits)         -   e. Packet type—DB request/response         -   f. Sequence of TLVs—2 bytes of sequence number for ordering             of these TLVs         -   g. Routing metric type—3 bytes: type flags, radio-aware             metric, topology aware         -   h. Capability IE—flags for the types of capabilities             supported by this node     -   2. Database IE contains [810]         -   a. Type—Database IE         -   b. Length of IE         -   c. Topology DB id # [811]—ID number used to identify the             topology in multiple topology overlays         -   d. MPID of requestor [812]—MAC address of Mesh Point             requesting update         -   e. Last DB Request Sequence # [813]—sequence number of last             database request         -   f. Sequence number of request [814]—sequence number for this             request         -   g. Request/Response flags (1 byte) [815]             -   i. Flags: (XXX SPTR)             -   ii. R=Request (1), 0—Reply             -   iii. T—Transmit LSA in response (1=transmit, 0=Response)             -   iv. P—Partial Sequence number response             -   v. S—Sequence number list follows         -   h. Sequence Number IE [820]             -   i. Type—Sequence number IE             -   ii. Length—length of IE             -   iii. Starting of LSA sequence number (4 bytes)             -   iv. End (Last) LSA sequence number (4 bytes)             -   v. Count of lifetime IE that follow (may be zero)         -   i. Lifetime IE (one or more may follow) [830, 840]             -   i. Lifetime value             -   ii. Count of LSAs at lifetime             -   iii. LSA ID list

FIG. 9 shows an illustrative, non-limiting example of a Database Request sequence. FIG. 10 illustrates a non-limiting example of a down loaded LSA. The database request sequence in FIG. 9 undergoes the following steps:

Step (a) MP 3 requests the DB from MP 2

-   -   The packet includes:         -   Topology DB id=0 (default)         -   Requestor—MPID3         -   Last Request: 0—no earlier request         -   Request: #1—first request         -   Flags:             -   S=0—SN IE included—so give all LSAs             -   R=1—request for information on this node             -   P=0—not a partial request             -   T=0—transmit

Step (b) MP2 responds to the DB request with list of LSAs

-   -   The packet includes:         -   Topology DB id=0 (default)         -   Requestor: MPID3         -   Last Request: 0—no earlier request         -   Request: 1         -   Flags:             -   S=1—SN IE included             -   R=0—response to request of DB request             -   P=0—not a partial request             -   T=0—echo of transmit flag         -   SN IE             -   Start LSA sequence #1—start of LSA Sequence #             -   End LSA sequence #2—end of sequence #             -   Lifecnt—count of lifetime blocks     -   Life-time E         -   Time—100 counts         -   Cnt 3         -   LSAs: 1, 2, 3

Step (c) MP 2 requests the DB from MP 3

-   -   The packet includes:         -   Topology DB id=0 (default)         -   Requestor—MPID2         -   Last Request: 0—no earlier request         -   Request: #1—first request         -   Flags:             -   S=0—SN IE included—so give all LSAs             -   R=1—request for information on this node             -   P=0—not a partial request             -   T=0—transmit

Step (d) MP3 responds to the DB request with list of LSAs

-   -   Topology DB id=0 (default)     -   Requestor: MPID2     -   Last Request: 0—no earlier request     -   Request: 1     -   Flags:         -   S=1—SN IE included         -   R=0—response to request of DB request         -   P=0—not a partial request         -   T=0—echo of transmit flag     -   SN IE     -   Start LSA sequence #1—start of LSA Sequence #     -   End LSA sequence #2—end of sequence #     -   Lifecnt—count of lifetime blocks     -   Life-time IE     -   Time—100 counts     -   Cnt 3     -   LSAs: 1, 2, 3

FIG. 10 illustrates the downloading of the Link state Database with steps e through step h of the process. These steps are:

-   -   Step (e) MP 3 requests the DB from MP 2 with the following TLVs:         -   Topology DB id=0 (default)         -   Requestor—MPID3         -   Last Request: 1—no earlier request         -   Request: #2—second request         -   Flags:             -   S=1—SN IE included—so give all LSAs             -   T=1—transmit             -   R=1 Request     -   Step (f) MP3 responds to the DB request with list of LSAs         -   Routing IE+3 topology IE (1, 2, 3) with Topology LSDB     -   Step (g) MP 2 requests the DB from MP3 with         -   DB Request:#2         -   Topology DB id=0         -   Requestor: MPID2         -   Last Request (1), Current Request (2)         -   Flags:             -   T=1—transmit             -   R=1—request         -   SN IE—Start with LSA4, end with LSA4         -    (g-2) Ack IE: DB#0, last-req(2), ack(1-3)     -   Steps (h) MP2 responds with the list of LSA in a topology         message (LSDB)

FIG. 11 illustrates, by way of non-limiting example, multiple nodes interacting to update each link state Databases. Mesh Point 1, 2, 3 and 4 interact to bring the database up.

Embodiments of this invention allows a database update based on a full or a partial list of LSA sequence numbers. For the database transmission, the Database Request message determines the side that will transmit the database. If the requests come in simultaneously, the tie breaking goes to the lowest Mesh Point Node Id (MAC address).

In embodiments of the invention, the MAC address grouping ID provides scalable MAC address that may be added or deleted in large groups. MAC addressees may be added or delete from the large Group Id.

A Radio-Aware Light Weight Routing Protocol (“ra-hello”)

Embodiments of this invention include a “ra-Hello” protocol that can provide 1-hop to 2-hop connectivity in a wireless mesh network based on inclusion of fields in the Beacon message for wireless. Such embodiments include TLVs that can be used in the Beacon message, rules for interacting with the Beacon, and hello process rules (inbound and outbound.)

This ra-hello protocol provides a quick start topology knowledge that can stabilize a network while the wireless mesh routing protocols exchange databases. FIG. 12 shows the TLVs that can be supported in as part of the “ra-hello”. Most of these TLVs are also used on the TLVs passed in the extensions to the Link State update. The new TLVs are as follows:

-   -   Hello timers—a Type-length-value that includes: Hello interval         time and dead router interval time.     -   Traffic engineering metric—contains a constraint map that         indicates the use of the node weight and link weight.

The RA hello can be carried in 802.11 Beacon, Probe responses and mesh reports. The implied information in the frame is the neighbor (from the source MAC address) and the time stamp. The minimal set of information is the Wi-mesh protocol field. Other fields that may be included in the routing IE include:

-   -   Neighbor IE:         -   MPID of Neighbor's Neighbor, routing-aware metric,             topology-aware metric, MLID         -   Routing Capability—bit per routing IE fields         -   Forwarding IE (in embodiments, default unicast and/or power             may be supported)         -   Traffic Engineering IE (optional)         -   Hello timers         -   Unicast MAC IE (optional)         -   Multicast MAC IE (optional, none)     -   Additional traffic engineering information         -   Environmental IE—         -   QoS EE—impacts links & nodes         -   Resource IE parameters             -   AS & Captive portal weighted per node             -   Resource functions may impact node or link calculations         -   Environmental IE             -   Impact node and link based         -   Power IE

Embodiments of the invention include the following method for processing inbound ra-hello messages:

-   -   1. Process Beacon headers & sanity check routing information. If         illegal, drop packet.     -   2. Process the security sections of the Routing header to see if         MD5 hash is present.         -   If so, compare the MD5 hash field with the calculated MD5.             If no match, drop packet.     -   3. If encrypted, decrypt the packet.     -   4. Get packet, and reset dead link timer. Process Hello         information for neighbor as adjacency information, but flag with         current security level (none, MD5, or encrypted)     -   5. If security association needs to be established or changed,         go through security association process. If secure association         fails, drop the Mesh Link that this hello came in on. If secure         association is valid, set the adjacency to secure.     -   6. Start the topology update request process (by requesting         database update) & processing update information

Embodiments of the invention include the following method for processing out-bound RA hello messages:

-   -   1. Upon initializing, discover the links that are valid     -   2. Determine the security parameters for each link & configured         neighbors such as MD5 authentication, AS priority, RSN IE         information, PMK (Announce, MIC or Shared key)     -   3. Schedule sending first hello with beacon information based on         beacon set-ups     -   4. Upon receiving 1st neighbors hello, go through hello process         -   a. If there is data received from WSTA, keep trying to             establish         -   b. If no data, back-off the hello interval.

FIG. 13 provides an overview of a multi-node use of the “ACK” field in the hello message. The hello TLVs are sent with a sequence number. This sequence number is echoed in the neighbor's hello in the neighbor information. The ACK list in the Link State database also gives the sequence number for the last received hello.

This sequence number allows updates based on hello message information to be tracked in the exchanges. Thus if the database is out of date because it hasn't processed link state updates or hello updates, it will be reflected in the hello message. This check allows quick debugging of slowed processing due to CPU or memory overloads.

On-Demand Secure Multicast Path Set-Up Supported by Routing

Embodiments of the invention support on-demand group keys based on a MAC address or group of MAC address via additions to the flag for passing Group MAC addresses to indicate that:

-   -   Flag1: On-demand group key for these MAC addresses are to be         obtain from the security process (either as a pre-shared key) or         as a result from an 802.1x exchange with the appropriate         authentication service,     -   Flag 2: On-demand node group key has been obtain for this MAC         address, and     -   Flag 3: A flag that group encryption and forwarding has been         established for this node.

These flags are carried as part of the Group MAC address with the “flag” world per group address.

If Flag 1 is on, the Mesh Point will, in embodiments of the invention, insert “hints” into an Expanded RSN IE (denoted here as an M-RSN IE) via 802.11i to initiate the 802.1x authentication. If flag 1 goes off, then the mesh point no longer needs the on-demand group key.

If flag 2 is on, the link state topology update mechanisms or the ra-hello topology mechanism, can start to calculate a path between all nodes transmitting to a Group address or listening to a group MAC data stream. Flag 3, indicates that the path calculations has completed at this time.

An additional embodiment of this invention enables the securing of multicast keys to a Group leader per multicast group (elected by a combination of Policy and Mesh Point ID). In some such embodiments, the multicast key group leader is located with good connectivity to an Authentication server.

CONCLUSION

The embodiments and examples provided herein are for example purposes only. Many alternatives, variants, and equivalents shall be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. 

1. A computer network system comprising: a plurality of communications nodes in communication via a plurality of wireless channels; in the plurality of communications nodes, one or more hybrid communications nodes in communication with a wide area network via one or more fixed-wire channels; a plurality of type-level-value parameters exchanged amongst the plurality of communications nodes via a plurality of network packets, each of the network packets including a first type-level-value parameter indicating a network routing protocol to be used by the plurality of network packets, a second parameter indicating a node from the plurality of communications nodes that originated the network packet, one or more parameters indicating an amount of power available at the originating node, one or more packets identifying a communications node that is linked directly to the originating node via one or more of a wireless channel from the plurality of wireless channels and a fixed-wire channel from the plurality of fixed wire channels, one or more packets indicating one or more nodes that neighbor the neighboring node; wherein each of the communications node is operative to receive the plurality of network packets, read the type-level-value parameters contained therein, and update a database of network paths for communication with the plurality of communications nodes by implementing the routing protocol in response to the type-level-value parameters.
 2. The computer network system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wireless channels include one or more IEEE 802.11 links.
 3. The computer network system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wireless channels include one or more IEEE 802.16 links.
 4. The computer network system of claim 1, wherein the one or more fixed-wire channels include one or more IEEE 802.3 links.
 5. The computer network system of claim 1, wherein the network routing protocol is a link state protocol.
 6. The computer network system of claim 5, wherein the link state protocol is Open Shortest Path First (OSPF).
 7. The computer network system of claim 1, wherein the network routing protocol is a link state path vector protocol.
 8. The computer network system of claim 1, wherein the originating node is a mobile device, and the plurality of type level value parameters include a current battery life of the originating node.
 9. In a computer network system including a plurality of communications nodes connected via a plurality of wireless channels, a method of determining network paths amongst the plurality of communications nodes, the method comprising: at each node in the plurality of communications nodes, generating a first plurality of network packets, each of the first plurality of network packets including a plurality of network parameters further including a first one or more parameters indicating one or more network routing protocols used by the node, a second one or more parameters identifying the node, a third one or more parameters indicating a status of the power currently available at the originating node, a fourth one or more packets identifying one or more neighbor nodes that are directly coupled to the node, a fifth one or more packets identifying one or more nodes that are directly coupled to the one or more neighbor nodes; receiving, at each node in the plurality of nodes, a second plurality of network packets from the one or more neighbor nodes, the second plurality of network packets including the plurality of network parameters from other nodes in the plurality of communications nodes; upon receiving the second plurality of network packets, determining a plurality of network paths to the other nodes in the plurality of communications nodes, determining the plurality of network paths further including implementing the one or more network routing protocols in response to the plurality of network parameters.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the plurality of wireless channels include one or more IEEE 802.11 links.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the plurality of wireless channels include one or more IEEE 802.16 links.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the plurality of communications nodes are also in communication via one or more fixed-wire channels.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the one or more fixed-wire channels include one or more Ethernet links.
 14. The method of claim 9, wherein the one or more network routing protocols includes a link state protocol.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the link state protocol is Open Shortest Path First (OSPF).
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the link state protocol is IS-IS.
 17. The method of claim 9, wherein the one or more network routing protocols includes a link state path vector protocol.
 18. The method of claim 9, wherein the node is a wireless client device.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the third one or more parameters indicate a battery life remaining at the wireless client device.
 20. A frame-switched communications network comprising: a plurality of communications nodes coupled by fixed wire and wireless channels; means for determining a hierarchical subset of nodes in the plurality of communications nodes that are in communication via the fixed wire and wireless channels, wherein the nodes in the hierarchical subset are arranged in a multicast tree hierarchy; recursive means for determining the multi-cast tree hierarchy, and for alternating the hierarchy in real-time in response to events in the packet-switched communications network;
 21. The frame-switched communications network of claim 20 further comprising: means for developing, exchanging and updating security keys amongst subsets of the hierarchical subset in real-time. 